The carnivore diet eliminates all plant foods and eats only animal products. Learn how it works, what you can eat, its benefits, and key risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you eat on the carnivore diet?
The carnivore diet includes beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, shellfish, eggs, organ meats, and select dairy (butter, hard cheese). All plant foods — vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds — are excluded.
Is the carnivore diet the same as keto?
No. The ketogenic diet allows low-carb vegetables, nuts, and some fruits, targeting 20–50 g of carbs per day. The carnivore diet aims for essentially zero carbs by eliminating all plant foods. Both produce ketosis, but carnivore is far more restrictive.
Is the carnivore diet safe long-term?
Long-term safety data is limited. A 2025 scoping review in Nutrients found only 9 human studies on the carnivore diet, with no randomized controlled trials or long-term clinical endpoints. Potential risks include elevated LDL cholesterol and deficiencies in vitamin C, calcium, and fiber.
Can you lose weight on the carnivore diet?
Yes. A survey of 2,029 carnivore dieters published in Current Developments in Nutrition found median BMI dropped from 27.2 to 24.3. Weight loss is driven primarily by high protein intake increasing satiety, the elimination of calorie-dense processed foods, and the creation of a natural calorie deficit.
What are the side effects of the carnivore diet?
The most common side effects occur in the first 1–2 weeks during adaptation: fatigue, headaches, constipation or diarrhea, and irritability — similar to keto flu. Longer-term concerns include elevated LDL cholesterol, potential nutrient deficiencies (vitamin C, magnesium, calcium), and increased kidney stone risk from very high protein intake.